Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Wolcott, Connecticut

This small town in New Haven County has a population of less than 17,000 residents yet is conveniently located near cities rich in culture and history, offering a plethora of activities and attractions.

The most significant nearby city is Waterbury to the southwest, boasting a fascinating regional museum and a captivating performing arts venue, the Palace Theater.

Situated even closer, Mount Southington is recognized as one of the premier ski destinations in Connecticut, and Lake Compounce, an easily accessible theme park, is a short drive away.

Within a 15-minute radius of Wolcott, you will find a chocolate factory, three craft breweries, a waterfall, and an engaging children’s museum.

1. Woodtick Recreation Area

Despite its distance from Long Island Sound, Wolcott features its own town beach located on the southern shore of Scoville Reservoir.

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, visitors can relax on the sandy beach while children enjoy the tranquil, shallow waters.

A designated play area ensures the safety of younger children, and there are amenities such as a raft and slide.

On land, the Woodtick Recreation Area provides basketball and volleyball courts, a substantial picnic area, a snack bar, and an excellent playground for children.

Daily fees are applicable and vary for residents and non-residents of Wolcott.

2. Palace Theater

If you are near Waterbury and appreciate the arts, the Palace Theater (established in 1921) should feature prominently in your itinerary, whether for a live performance or one of the regular guided tours.

This Renaissance Revival structure was originally conceived as a movie and vaudeville house by renowned designer Thomas W. Lamb, who was among the leading theater architects of the period.

The facade is remarkable, stretching 38 meters wide, and entering the interior allows you to marvel at a construction that cost $1 million nearly nine decades ago.

Gorgeous domed ceilings abound, and motifs draw from Greek, Roman, Arabic, and Federal styles.

The Palace Theater hosts performances by rock and pop legends (such as Brian Wilson in September 2019), Broadway productions, tribute bands, prominent comedians, and a monthly storytelling series, 2nd Act, featuring local residents sharing their insightful life experiences.

3. Shebeen Brewing Company

The first of three craft breweries featured here claims to be the only Irish brewery in Connecticut.

Shebeen Brewing is conveniently positioned along Wolcott Road en route to Waterbury, featuring a taproom that operates from Wednesday to Sunday with 13 active taps.

This dog-friendly establishment incorporates amenities such as a projection TV, air hockey, foosball, board games, darts, pinball, and weekly trivia nights on Thursdays.

The beer selection, crafted in small batches, spans stouts, IPAs, and lagers that cater to diverse tastes, including unique offerings (think pumpkin spice cannoli and cucumber wasabi). Additionally, Wolcott’s pizza restaurant, Five Guys Flippin Pies, provides pizza on Friday nights, while Shelton’s Drunk Alpaca supplies snacks like chips, nuts, jerky, and hot pretzels.

4. Peterson Memorial Park

Located north of Wolcott’s center along Wolcott Road, this park exemplifies the essential local green space every community should possess.

Covering over 65 acres of open fields and woodland, Peterson Memorial Park features basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts, a skate park, and an ample picnic area equipped with two pavilions.

Moreover, there are two extensive play areas intended for children of varying ages.

Peterson Memorial Park also serves as a launch point for more extensive hikes, given that the Blue-Blazed Mattatuck Trail commences here, extending for 36 miles until it converges with the renowned Appalachian Trail at Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall.

5. Lake Compounce

One of New England’s premier amusement parks is located a short drive away, featuring over 50 rides and attractions, in addition to Crocodile Cove, the largest waterpark in the state.

Established in 1846, Lake Compounce holds the distinction of being the oldest continually operating amusement park in the nation. If you relish the classic feel of a traditional wooden roller coaster, this is the place for you.

Boulder Dash, which opened in 2000, has been recognized as the best roller coaster in the world three times in the last twenty years in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.

Given the rich history of Lake Compounce, visitors can also find several vintage rides.

Wildcat (opened in 1927) ranks as the 14th oldest wooden roller coaster worldwide, and the elegant Lake Compounce Carousel has been in operation since 1911.

6. Mount Southington Ski Area

The family-friendly atmosphere in Wolcott continues year-round, as a premier ski resort is located merely a couple of miles away.

Covering just over 50 acres, Mount Southington features 14 trails, ranging from Green Circle (six) to Black Diamond (two), all served by seven ski lifts.

During a typical winter, Mount Southington receives approximately two meters of snowfall, and the ski area is equipped with 100% snowmaking capabilities to ensure an extended season.

Accessing Mount Southington is straightforward, and it offers excellent value for money: you can ski or snowboard for as little as $70 (including equipment rental) during weekdays from 10:00 to 15:00.

For beginners, lessons are available starting at $90 for a 1.5-hour session, which includes eight hours of lift access.

7. Buttermilk Falls

Situated just off Wolcott Road in Plymouth, Buttermilk Falls presents a breathtaking sight as it cascades over horsetails, slides, and cascades from a height of 16 meters.

You can reach Buttermilk Falls via a short trail that is just over half a mile long, leading you to the waterfall’s summit.

To truly appreciate the falls, one must navigate down the side, surrounded by hemlock woodlands, mossy rocks, and ferns along the riverbank.

The falls are at their most impressive between April and November, though they may freeze during the harsh Connecticut winter.

8. Mattatuck Museum

As of 2019, this esteemed institution in Waterbury, focused on the culture and history of the Central Naugatuck Valley, was undergoing an $8 million refurbishment.

Exhibits had been temporarily relocated to the branch, Rose Hill, located at 63 Prospect Street.

Designed by the notable New Haven architect Henry Austin (1804-1891), this stunning house served as a residence for three prominent industrial families in Waterbury: the Scovills, Weltons, and Chases.

One exhibition delved into the history of the house and its notable residents.

The house’s four parlor rooms on the first floor showcased selections from the museum’s extensive collection, including Charles Goodyear’s rubber desk and various colonial-era portraits, along with artifacts produced in Waterbury and artworks by Faith Ringgold, Kay Faith, and Alexander Calder.

9. Fascia’s Chocolates

Originally a secondary venture for a toolmaker in Waterbury in 1964, Fascia’s Chocolates has evolved into a sizable operation, complete with a factory that delights chocolate enthusiasts.

On Saturdays, visitors may participate in an “Experience Your Chocolate” tour, which includes tastings, chocolate-making demonstrations, and a presentation detailing the journey from cocoa bean to chocolate bar and ultimately to the packaging. A remote-controlled camera offers a peek into the factory’s production area.

Guests also have the opportunity to create their own chocolate bars as keepsakes, which can also be selected as a standalone experience. The factory store, open Monday to Saturday, features a tempting selection of gelato.

10. Seven Angels Theatre

This production theater is situated within the grand pavilion in Hamilton Park, Waterbury.

Founded in 1990 by Equity television actor Semina De Laurentis, who returned from Hollywood during the 1988 writers’ strike in Los Angeles, Seven Angels operates as a non-profit entity under De Laurentis’s direction. Each season, the theater presents musicals and plays featuring local talent, enhanced by professional production standards.

Additionally, a lineup of live music and comedy events occurs throughout the season, and Seven Angels provides acting classes for children, a summer theater program, and various community outreach initiatives.

11. Kinsmen Brewing

Kinsmen Brewing, located in Milldale, is a family-owned and operated craft brewery.

Open seven days a week, the brewery features a casual taproom constructed from reclaimed materials, set in the former Clark Brothers Bolt Company Factory (dating back to 1854). Kinsmen Brewing benefits from its proximity to the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, attracting walkers and cyclists in search of refreshments.

Among the 12 beers available on tap in September 2019, the Double Roast, a double coffee stout, was particularly appealing to those who favor malty brews.

Additionally, a wide variety of hoppy IPAs, such as Hot Pocket and Rawesome, alongside lighter options like the Super Ultra Premium American macro lager, cater to diverse preferences.

12. Brass Works Brewing Company

Brass Works Brewing Company, which was established in Waterbury in 2015, is also a family-run business. This venture features a taproom open from Thursday to Sunday, offering 16 distinct beers on draft as of September 2019. The range includes fruity IPAs, rich stouts and porters, three Saisons, a blonde ale, and a German-style Märzen referred to as Oktoberfest.

Stay current through their social media channels for updates on new beer releases and live music, as they host various events or promotions every weekend.

If you happen to be in the area outside their operational hours, the Italian restaurant Zuppa in Wolcott serves Brass Works beer.

13. Imagine Nation

Imagine Nation, a NAEYC-accredited preschool located nearby in Bristol, doubles as an attraction for families with young children, featuring three levels of 12 interactive museum studios.

The establishment encourages self-guided exploration and experiential learning, developing critical thinking, confidence, creativity, citizenship, and curiosity.

Children can investigate concepts of light, shadow, and reflection in the Light & Reflection studio, or learn about physical wellness through role-play in the Wellness studio.

In the Kinetic studio, youngsters can craft their own inventions, while the Art studio fosters creativity with the help of a qualified Atelierista.

Each studio is stocked with safe, real-world props and is staffed by enthusiastic, professional educators.

14. Barker Character, Comic and Cartoon Museum

Presenting decades of popular culture, this captivating museum houses over 80,000 vintage toys and collectibles.

The impressive collection was initiated by Gloria and Herbert Barker in the 1960s, with a commitment to preserving everyday childhood items for future generations.

This remarkable assortment includes toys, games, automatons, clothing, comics, cut-outs, dolls, posters, and tea sets, featuring or branded with every conceivable pop culture character.

Among the oldest items are a pair of cast iron walking elephants manufactured in Bridgeport in 1873. Visitors can embark on an historical journey, exploring early Disney toys, memorabilia from The Three Stooges, Shirley Temple dolls, vintage Halloween masks, Beatles collectibles, Star Wars dolls, and much more.

15. Farmingbury Hills Golf Course

It is difficult to find a more picturesque location for a golf course than at the edge of the Apple Valley.

Straddling the boundary between Wolcott and Southington, Farmingbury Hills is a municipal nine-hole course established as early as the 1920s.

The interplay between tee box placements on the 18-hole route presents unique challenges across what is essentially a nine-hole course. For example, the 8th hole, measuring 180 yards, is a par 3 on the front 9, but shifts to a par 4 as the 17th hole on the back 9. As a municipal course, the green fees are reasonable, ranging from $20 to $30 for an 18-hole round.